BERLIN, Dec. 4 -- Bayern Munich keeper Sven Ulreich called the group B duel against Paris St. Germain a case of revenge.
"We want revenge and want to forget about that frustrating evening in the first game," the 29-year-old commented before crossing swords with the French giant in the Champions League this Tuesday evening.
His side intends to proof the disastrous 0-3 defeat last October in the first leg was just an accident Ulreich quoted. Ulreich called the duel in Munich a prestige game, which is "very special to us all."
Replacing the clubs injured number one Manuel Neuer, Ulreich expressed a warning to opponents not to underestimate his side. "When all our cornerstones are back we must hide from nobody. We are capable of achieving the big goals," the keeper commented.
Despite regained self-confidence after eleven victories in 12 games, the Paris clash is regarded to be Bayern's most important game this year. While 2017 German Champion is comfortably ruling the national league six points ahead of runner-up RB Leipzig, the team still needs to prove its international ambitions under 72-year-old coach Jupp Heynckes when facing Europe's top dogs.
"All in Europe will eye this game," Bayern Munich head of board Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told German media. The game is designed to show the progress the team has made lately and deliver hints of its stability the former striker quoted. "We are highly motivated to show it is possible to beat Paris in an important game," the 62-year-old said calling the French opponent "the Galacticos."
Rummenigge said he is optimistic his team will beat Paris but does not expect his side to win the group. Bayern needs a 4-0 to recapture the group's top position. The duel against Paris is an important exam for the 2013 treble winner on its way back to international success the Bavarian official emphasized.
While Bayern will most likely have to replace French striker Franck Ribery and Dutch international Arjen Robben due to injury, the return of 2017 World Champion Thomas Mueller and the latest improvement of Kingsley Coman cause optimism in Munich. "It is a very special game for me as I was educated in the Paris youth department and we are optimistic to achieve a satisfying result," the French striker commented.
The 21-year-old managed to close the gap left by Ribery along the left flank while Mueller reported back to action after having missed seven games due to a muscle injury. Bayern coach Heynckes called Coman's shape significant.
Coman was Bayern's man of the match when beating Hannover 96 by 3-1 in their latest Bundesliga duel providing the side's second goal. Mueller delivered two assists. Heynckes said Mueller is essential for the team's game as Mueller' unorthodox game style is inspiring the team.
Coman causes satisfaction among the Bavarians after "he has developed a lot lately and is on a good way" as Bayern defender and team leader Jerome Boateng commented. Mueller said Coman not only has improved the quality of his sprints along the wing but the quality of his crosses and passing.
In 2017 Coman joined Bayern coming on loan from the Italian side Juventus Turin but could not deliver convincing performances. Meanwhile, the French forward is regarded to be the right choice to succeed 34-year-old Ribery in the future. Last March Bayern leaders such as Rummenigge and club president Uli Hoeness decided to buy Coman and pay the last instalment of 21 million Euros.
"I am happy about my improvement, but I see it is still a long way to go," Coman commented and mentioned the great support from Bayern coach Heynckes and Ribery. "Their help allows me to improve as they can rely on a lot of experience."